New Delhi, March 9: The Lok Sabha failed to take up a scheduled resolution seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla on Monday, as proceedings were repeatedly disrupted by opposition demands for a debate on the conflict in West Asia. Despite the no-confidence motion being listed on the day’s agenda, continuous sloganeering and the display of placards in the Well of the House forced an early adjournment for the day.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered a statement on the regional crisis, highlighting the safety of nearly one crore Indian citizens in the Gulf. However, opposition members from the Congress, DMK, and Samajwadi Party dismissed the statement as “one-sided” and demanded a full-fledged discussion.
Jagadambika Pal, who was presiding over the House, accused the opposition of holding the proceedings “hostage” and wasting approximately 9 crore of taxpayer money per day. “The government and the Chair were willing to take up the resolution, but the opposition was creating obstacles,” Pal affirmed, describing the behavior as “irresponsible.”
The resolution for Birla’s removal, signed by 118 opposition members, alleges that the Speaker has acted in a “blatantly partisan” manner and disregarded the rights of opposition leaders. While Birla was present in the House, he did not chair the proceedings, in accordance with constitutional requirements during the consideration of such a motion.
